Chapter 7 Lawyer: Know How to Prepare for Bankruptcy
Before you declare bankruptcy, you should take a few minutes to prepare a little bit ahead of time. You should ensure that you have the filing fees available, as well as the knowledge that you are eligible.
If you are considering filing bankruptcy,
you should first choose a chapter 7 lawyer, provided that this is the chapter that is likely best for you. However, there are ways to start preparing for the process even before you select an attorney. Think about a few preparation tips before continuing with this process.
While the entire reason that you are about to take this route is a lack of money, you should know that you need to have at least a little cash to go down this road. Most lawyers request at least a thousand dollars, if not more.
Fortunately, they usually allow you to break it up into a few payments, making it a little more affordable if the money is paid over a few months. In addition, most states have filing fees that you need to pay before even beginning the procedure, which means that you should save a little money before embarking on this route.
Most lawyers prefer to meet with potential clients before agreeing to represent them. This is because they want to ensure that there is a good case that they can work with, but they also want to make sure that they can get along with the client. After all, some cases take months or even years, which equals several visits to the office. Therefore, consider taking advantage of an initial consultation with the chapter 7 lawyer that you are considering. Most offer one free meeting, so find out about this option to avoid paying for an attorney that you might not even use.
Aside from the fees involved, you need to find out the proper procedure for bankruptcy in your state. It often differs, even if only slightly. There are usually forms to fill out before paying anything. Additionally, you need to make sure that you are eligible for bankruptcy, though of course you can expect your chapter 7 lawyer to double check the requirements before representing you, as well. It is nice to make sure that you are actually eligible before spending time thinking about this possibility.
If you take these steps, you should be prepared to file bankruptcy, allowing the procedure to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. Not only will this allow you to get the result you want, but it can also impress your attorney, who will appreciate a client who has done some research ahead of time. Thus, you may find your appointments with your chapter 7 lawyer particularly fulfilling.
